As healthcare technology continues to evolve, healthcare organizations need to know that moving to a new solution does not mean leaving trusted functionality behind. Microsoft has provided further clarification on the relationship between Dragon Medical One (DMO) and Dragon Copilot Flex, outlining how the new solution continues to deliver the core speech recognition functionality healthcare professionals already use today.

For organizations currently working with Dragon Medical One, this provides important reassurance as they consider the next step in their clinical documentation strategy.

Building on the foundation of Dragon Medical One

Dragon Medical One has long supported healthcare professionals with cloud-based clinical speech recognition, helping clinicians document directly into their existing applications and workflows.

According to Microsoft, Dragon Copilot Flex uses the same underlying automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology as Dragon Medical One. This means that the core speech recognition capabilities required by healthcare organizations continue to form the foundation of the solution.

In its statement, Microsoft specifically describes Dragon Copilot Flex as continuing to provide the core speech recognition and related functionality required by customers. The transition is therefore intended to maintain the essential capabilities organizations have come to depend on, rather than represent a fundamental departure from them.

What functionality continues with Dragon Copilot Flex?

Microsoft’s comparison highlights continuity across several important areas.

Both Dragon Medical One and Dragon Copilot Flex support speech-based natural language recognition, voice commands and anchored speech recognition. Customization and automation capabilities are also represented, including libraries, templates and other tools that help adapt clinical documentation to individual and organizational workflows.

The comparison also covers analytics, reporting and data security, as well as smartphone-based usage, including the ability to use a smartphone as a microphone.

For clinicians, this continuity is particularly important. A transition in technology should support existing ways of working while creating opportunities to benefit from new capabilities over time.

Supporting established clinical workflows

Microsoft also addresses several criteria relating to clinical documentation workflows.

Dragon Copilot Flex continues to support direct documentation at the cursor within many hospital information systems, while documentation can also be created in applications such as Microsoft Word and Outlook. SDK-based integration can provide further integration possibilities within clinical environments.

Individual speech profiles remain an important element of the experience. Microsoft states that Dragon Copilot Flex uses the same underlying ASR technology as Dragon Medical One, while supporting the speech recognition capabilities healthcare professionals rely on for accurate documentation.

Voice control and navigation also remain available, including the creation of individual voice commands and additional control possibilities through SDK integration

Together, these capabilities help provide continuity for organizations that have already incorporated voice technology into their day-to-day documentation processes.

Security and data protection remain central

For healthcare organizations, functionality is only one part of the equation. Security, data protection and regulatory requirements are equally important when evaluating clinical technology.

For Dragon Copilot in Germany, Microsoft states alignment with ISO 27001, BSI C5 and the EU Data Boundary, alongside support for GDPR and EHDS requirements. Microsoft also notes that this meets KHZG IT security expectations. Its statement additionally makes clear that individual procurement and grant compliance assessments remain the responsibility of the customer.

This is particularly relevant for healthcare organizations evaluating the transition from existing Dragon solutions while operating within strict security and regulatory frameworks.

Moving forward with Dragon Copilot

The move from Dragon Medical One towards Dragon Copilot represents a new chapter for Microsoft’s clinical voice technology. Microsoft completed its acquisition of Nuance Communications in March 2022, after which Nuance’s healthcare business became part of Microsoft’s Cloud + AI organization. Microsoft continues to integrate Nuance’s technology and expertise with its broader healthcare and AI offerings.

For existing Dragon Medical One customers, Microsoft’s latest clarification provides an important message: the proven speech recognition foundation behind DMO continues with Dragon Copilot Flex.

For healthcare organizations, that creates an opportunity to move forward while maintaining access to the core speech recognition capabilities clinicians already know and use.

Preparing for the next step

As a Microsoft partner with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare speech technology, ORdigiNAL is supporting partners and healthcare organizations through the evolution of the Dragon portfolio.

Whether you are currently using Dragon Medical One, preparing for a future transition, or want to better understand how Dragon Copilot Flex fits within your organization’s clinical documentation strategy, our team can help you explore the available options.

Partners can contact their ORdigiNAL Partner Success Manager for further information and guidance. Additional Dragon Copilot resources and materials are also available through the ORdigiNAL Partner Portal.